Key Facts: Belize vs Cuba Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Belize 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Belize is roughly 85 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $900/mo in Belize versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 55.5:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 8.9%.
Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belize is higher.
Work Week
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Belize would see a 8357% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belize are $113 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Belize
Compare Belize with...
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Belize vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Belize vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Belize vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Belize vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Belize vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Belize vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Belize vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Belize vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Belize vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Belize vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Belize vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Belize vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Belize vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Belize vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Belize vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Belize vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Belize vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Belize vs Switzerland 
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Belize vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Cuba?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Belize has the higher rate by 8357% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 5450% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Cuba?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.